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A new survey released by Instructure shows that 90% of college students use AI in the classroom, as do 61% of instructors. However, only 11% of higher education instructors have received comprehensive AI training, and 41% have not received any formal training. The survey also found that 65% of students and instructors are concerned about AI appearing confident even when it makes mistakes, and they call on institutions to provide practical training and clear guidance.

The Broward College Board of Trustees and President Torey Alston reached a mutual termination agreement on Tuesday, ending a turbulent removal dispute. Under the agreement, Alston will receive $430,000 and immediately resign as president, while withdrawing his lawsuit and HR complaint. Previously, the board had attempted to terminate Alston without cause, but the court required mediation first.

The University of Utah, due to a state directive requiring the reallocation of nearly $20 million in funds, has decided to close its Sandy satellite campus on January 1, 2026. The campus primarily offers general education courses, and its closure is expected to save on facility and administrative costs. Fall courses will proceed as usual, with only 33 of the approximately 660 students relying solely on courses at this campus.

U.S. Department of Education staff released a report on Friday recommending revocation of federal recognition of the American Bar Association (ABA) Council on Legal Education and Admissions. The council accredits nearly 200 law schools, but only directly affects federal student aid eligibility for over a dozen independent legal education institutions. The dispute between the Education Department and the ABA centers on accreditation independence and diversity standards, with a hearing scheduled for September 23.

On August 24, the U.S. Department of Education published a proposed rule in the Federal Register aimed at amending the Department of Education's General Administrative Regulations, granting the agency broader authority to terminate grants, including terminating discretionary grants for 'convenience,' requiring recipients to comply with executive orders, and allowing for phased or delayed disbursement of funds. Experts note that this will make grants more susceptible to policy changes and may trigger legal disputes.

To comply with Texas Senate Bill 37, the University of Houston will reduce its core curriculum by about 40% for the 2026-27 academic year, affecting courses such as women's and LGBT studies. The system's Board of Regents has approved the plan, but faculty have criticized the lack of transparency in the decision-making process. Other Texas universities and states like Florida and Iowa are also strengthening oversight of general education.

The U.S. Department of Education on Wednesday released a proposed rule to overhaul the accreditation system, implementing key pillars of the Trump administration's higher education agenda. The rule would give accreditors new responsibilities, including ensuring colleges prioritize intellectual diversity among faculty and protect civil and free speech rights. Critics warn the language could undermine academic freedom and DEI initiatives.

Columbia University announced the reinstatement of standardized testing requirements for undergraduate applicants starting August 2027, making all eight Ivy League institutions abandon their pandemic-era test-optional policies. Top schools such as MIT and Johns Hopkins University had already reinstated requirements earlier. The Trump administration also explicitly supported standardized testing requirements, but its related executive order was struck down by courts. Nevertheless, over 2,000 colleges nationwide still maintain test-optional policies, and the debate over the fate of standardized testing continues to intensify amid data and equity issues.

The U.S. Department of Education launched an online platform this year, disclosing data on foreign donations and contracts reported by universities under Section 117 of the Higher Education Act since 1986, with cumulative amounts exceeding $72 billion. However, education experts point out that the platform fails to annotate key context such as time ranges and funding purposes, which may cause misunderstandings, and they worry it could be used as a political tool.